In Reply to: Is Kuta Really This Bad - Read On posted by octagonmike on Monday, 6. June 2005 at 04:05 Bali Time:
written. I noticed that article was written back in 2001. Kuta has changed a bit since then. Yes there were open drains and I remember my first trip to Bali back in 1999 after a particular rainy day Jl Legian flooded and for the next couple of days we had to walk through water (in some places it came up to just below the knee) when we wanted to go out shopping. There were hawkers everywhere and they were a pain as they were in your face as soon as you stepped foot outside your hotel. I went back last year in March and they were doing a lot of work on the drains (covering them in and such) and since the bombing there were no hawkers, only the survey people (time share ticket scams and the like) and with a firm no or Tidak after a few times in Kuta square, they pretty much left you alone (once they remembered your face and believe me they do). We were there again this April and the drainage work was mostly completed and did not see any real flooding even after 3 solid days of rain. Bali is a place you will need to experience for yourself. Remembing that Bali is a third worl country still so keep your mind open. Be firm with the the sellers and hawkers if you are really not interested in what they are offering and walk away from them. I am sure that you will find that you will have a memorable holiday, with a lot of good experiences and maybe the odd negative one.